Italy's World Cup squad – with surprises and question marks

The World Championships in Fribourg (Switzerland) can now begin: Italy's squad has been officially announced since Wednesday midday. There are one or two surprises – and one big question mark.

13 May 2026

From: det

The Italian national ice hockey team's World Championship campaign in Switzerland begins on Saturday at 4:20 p.m. The Azzurri will immediately face the birthplace of ice hockey, Canada. Since Wednesday noon, it has been clear which players will be competing against the world's superstars. The coaching staff, led by head coach Jukka Jalonen, has announced the World Championship roster.

There were a few surprises along the way. For example, 19-year-old Gabriel Nitz – who played several games for HC Pustertal this year and will be playing in Finland next season – will be competing in his first World Championship. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Carmine Buono is writing a little fairytale: Two years ago, the defenseman was playing in the Italian Hockey League for Aosta, then he won the championship with Val Gardena – and now he too will be going to his first World Championship.

The Azzurri aim to avoid relegation at the World Cup. © FISG - Diego Barbieri - Laura Malvarosa

Meanwhile, there's a question mark hanging over top goalie Damian Clara. The Reischach native is currently the third-string goalie for the Anaheim Ducks, who are competing in the NHL playoffs. The Ducks are trailing the Vegas Golden Knights 2-3 in their quarterfinal series, with Game 6 on Friday and a potential Game 7 on Saturday. Should Anaheim be eliminated, Clara could join the World Championship team. Currently, Davide Fadani, Colin Furlong, and Jake Smith are the three goalies on the Ducks' roster.

Six from Bolzano, six from Puster Valley

The two ICE Hockey League clubs provide the largest contingent in Italy's World Championship squad. Six players each come from HC Bozen (Dylan DiPerna, Matt Bradley, Cristiano DiGiacinto, Luca Frigo, Daniel Mantenuto, Bryce Misley) and HC Pustertal (Luca Zanatta, Ivan Deluca, Mikael Frycklund, Matthias Mantinger, Tommy Purdeller, Nick Saracino).

This is Italy's World Cup squad

Goals
Davide Fadani (Kloten/Switzerland)
Colin Furlong (Rittner Buam)
Jacob Smith (Angers Ducs/France)

Abwehr
Carmine Buono (HC Gherdeina)
Dylan Di Perna (HC Bozen)
Gregorio Gios (HC Asiago)
Gabriel Nitz (HC Brixen)
Phil Pietroniro (Rytiri Kladno/Czech Republic)
Peter Spornberger (ERC Ingolstadt/Germany)
Alex Trivellato (Schwenninger Wild Wings/Germany)
Luca Zanatta (HC Pustertal)

Attack
Matthew Bradley (HC Bozen)
Tommaso De Luca (Ambrì Piotta/Switzerland)
Ivan Deluca (HC Pustertal)
Cristiano DiGiacinto (HC Bozen)
Luca Frigo (HC Bozen)
Mikael Frycklund (HC Pustertal)
Niccolò Mansueto (HC Sierre/Switzerland)
Daniel Mantenuto (HC Bozen)
Matthias Mantinger (HC Pustertal)
Bryce Misley (HC Bozen)
Tommy Purdeller (HC Pustertal)
Nick Saracino (HC Pustertal)
Alessandro Segafredo (ZSC Lions/Switzerland)
Marco Zanetti (HC Lugano/Switzerland)

Italy's games at the World Cup

Saturday May 16 at 16.20 p.m
Italy – Canada

Sunday, May 17th at 4:20 pm
Italy – Slovakia

Tuesday, May 19th at 4:20 pm
Italy – Norway

Wednesday, May 20th at 4:20 pm
Italy – Czech Republic

Friday May 22 at 20.20 p.m
Italy – Sweden

Sunday, May 24th at 4:20 pm
Italy – Denmark

Monday, May 25th at 8:20 pm
Italy – Slovenia

Keywords hockey Ice Hockey World Championship National teams